January 18 - Exorcism in Evangelism
One must adopt the biblical worldview that there is a spirit realm on earth affecting humankind. The fall of Satan from heaven to earth came with a third of the heavenly hosts, they are servants of the devil and are spirits looking for live human bodies to dwell in. Each spirit has a name that reflects its nature and character, e.g. spirit of lust, spirit of fear, etc. By itself, a demonic spirit cannot express its nature and needs a human body to show it forth. Demon possession happens when demonic spirits enter a person and takes control of the person to do their bidding. This is the background to Matthew 12 when Jesus taught about the strong man.
This began with Jesus casting out a demonic spirit of blindness and dumbness from a man and he immediately could speak and see. The man’s deliverance resulted in healing, a proof that some physical illnesses are results of demonization. This further proves that there are demonic spirits on earth affecting the welfare of human beings, but how can they be cast out from an infected person?
The Pharisees were not impressed, they accused Jesus of casting out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Jesus responded by teaching them about the two kingdoms: the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. The two kingdoms are at war with one another for the control of the world and human beings. When Jesus cast out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit, the Kingdom of God had come upon them. This is the reality of spiritual warfare on earth. To bring people from the power of Satan into the Kingdom of God means evangelism and exorcism, the casting out of demons and healing are integral parts of Kingdom evangelism.
The way of spiritual warfare is to bind the strong man and then loot his treasures. In other words, it is to bind the demonic powers and set free the precious souls the devil has made captive. We must use the power of the Holy Spirit and not our own power in evangelism and exorcism. Jesus has set us an example. When the demons are cast out, the person may then enter the Kingdom of God and leave the kingdom of Satan. Without the power of the Holy Spirit, no one can cast out demons or even to live a Christian life. That is why blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an unpardonable sin.
Following up with those who have been delivered of evil spirits is very important. Jesus describes a cleansed house but remains empty. The ousted demons then can re-enter the person and the person’s latter state would be far worse than before. One must be immediately filled by the Holy Spirit after the casting out of demonic spirits or re-infestation is very possible. What kind of spirits is affecting you or others around you? Are you filled by the Holy Spirit or by any other spirits? Are you doing evangelism by your own power or by the power of the Holy Spirit?
Ps 10:16-18 Gen 37:1-38:30 Matt 12:22-45 Prov 3:27-32